Merchandise Manager

Express, Inc.•Columbus, OH

70d

About The Position

The Merchandise Manager is responsible for multiple categories and strategic clarity in executing lifestyle merchandising. Divisional accountability for sales and profit. One eye view of merchandise assortment. Synthesizes and analyzes customer and competitive information that feeds the brand objectives and financial targets.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor's Degree preferably in business, retail merchandising, or fashion merchandising
Years of Experience: 10 + of progressively more significant merchant roles, in some combination of department and/or specialty retail, preferably apparel
Ability to think conceptually and strategically
Strong presentation and communication skills
Strong negotiation and influencing skills
Proficient in conflict management and problem solving
Achievement oriented with solid management experience and demonstrated leadership potential
Ability to handle challenging situations in a rational and level headed manner
Posses strong mentoring and teaching skills
Proficient computer skills (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Google Suite)
Ability to lead and facilitate a team work environment
Ability to handle challenging situations in a rational and level headed manner
Ability to understand competitive patterns overtime and be predictive where findings lead

Nice To Haves

Work well with a diverse group of people
Ability to make informed but quick decisions
Desire to challenge the status quo
Comfortability taking calculated risks

Responsibilities

Responsible for ensuring merchandising strategy is cohesive with all cross-functional strategies (design, marketing, visual, store operations, etc.)
Accountable for defined areas of responsibility as well as lifestyle results
Maximize the potential of both stores and eCommerce business
Effectively sell ideas, gain trust, and influence the Executive leadership team and the cross-functional team
Intimate knowledge of customer profile and requirements
Identify trends in the marketplace, adapt them to the brand, and scale them appropriately
Consistently drive innovation and new ideas on product
Ensure the merchandising vision is executed to fruition
Develops, communicates and tracks the team against the strategic view of the line
Build and execute both short term and long term product and business strategies that grow the business
Understand the customer and what they want
Bring customer and market perspective to the Design and Product development process
Utilize understanding of the competitive landscape to identify opportunities and risks
Actively searches the market for new 3rd party resources that will augment the Brand's assortment
Grow talent at all levels of merchandising
Empower and inspire the merchant team and cross-functional team through strong leadership
Manage associates in ways that create a positive, agile, collaborative and flexible work environment